Overcome Tennis Elbow: A Holistic Approach to Healing and Performance

Ah, tennis is in the air! With the conclusion of the US Open and the beautiful summer weather, you will find both novice and experienced tennis players on the courts. With that being said, you will also hear some players mention the dreaded tennis elbow pain. 

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is typically caused by repetitive stress and overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons. Most players may experience tenderness on the outside of the elbow, pain with gripping a racket, and stiffness/soreness in the elbow joint during and after play. 

Oftentimes, the first line of defense for treatment includes rest, ice, and pain reliever medication. Some will go through 6 weeks of physical therapy to work on wrist/elbow strengthening and stretching exercises. Finally, players will return to the tennis court with a forearm compression brace but still have nagging elbow pain. So what now? 

As a Physical Therapist and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist, my goal is to provide you with comprehensive guidance for injury recovery. Effective treatment involves more than just managing progressive loads on the affected tendon; it’s also crucial to address other factors contributing to your discomfort. String tension, grip size, and swing mechanics all influence the forces acting on your elbow. Moreover, the kinetic chain is vital in overhead sports, meaning that simply taking a break and doing wrist curls isn’t a complete solution to your pain.

If you’re struggling with elbow pain from tennis and haven't found relief, please feel free to reach out to me at meghab@stick2itpt.com. I’d be happy to help you get back on court for good!